PHOENIX, Ariz. - Former Southeast Missouri State defensive end Kyle Hunt signed a professional contract Tuesday with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. Hunt will return to play on the defensive line after playing tight end in training camp for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hunt is one of six players that the Rattlers signed Tuesday, including quarterback Jordan Palmer, who played at Texas-El Paso and is the brother of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. Two other linemen were signed in addition to Hunt.

"One of our main focuses this offseason was to rebuild the front three on both sides of the ball, and these players will do a lot for us," Rattlers head coach Kevin Guy said.

Over his two seasons in a Redhawks uniform, Hunt made 58 tackles, including 35 solo stops and five sacks. He made 16 tackles for losses of 52 yards and added an interception at Tennessee Tech in the 2005 season finale.

Hunt joins former Southeast kicker/punter Jason Witczak, who is in his third year as a kicker for the Rattlers. Four other former Southeast players are continuing their careers in the National Football League. Eugene Amano is an offensive lineman for the Tennessee Titans, Dan Connolly is an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots, Edgar Jones is an outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and Dimitri Patterson is a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs.